2007 Ford Explorer Review

Specifications

Only the Name Remains the Same

There is no greater sense of helplessness than being seated in the rear of a 4X4 while an impassioned brother journalist from Quebec forces it to defy the fundamentals of gravitation by clawing to the summit of a bolder-strewn precipice. Fortunately my francophone friend exhibited superior off-road competency - but more importantly he was driving the all-new 2007 Ford Sport Trac powered by a 4.6-litre, three-valve per cylinder V8. Ford chose to launch the Explorer-based four-wheel drive (4WD) Sport Trac in sunny California, and in doing so gave journalists the opportunity to test their mettle - and that of Fords - on an off-road course replete with steep pitches, large mud holes and dirt, plenty of dirt. 

Should you have any familiarity with the old Sport Trac, its time to hit “delete” and wipe your mental hard-drive clean; only the name remains the same. The 2007 edition of Fords SUV/pickup crossover emanates from the highly praised latest generation Explorer - and theres nothing like starting from a position of strength when developing new products. The new blueprints incorporate a wider, deeper cargo box that is 26.7-percent larger. The reconfigured box includes three weather-resistant gear bins for stowing wet equipment or keeping wet things ice cold! Visually, the 2007 Sport Trac incorporates DNA from its predecessor but thats where the familial likeness ends.

Todays Sport Trac utilizes a wide stance, big wheels, flared fenders and clean lines to project a bold, muscular appearance. The new exterior also incorporates a purposeful chrome grille, jewel-like headlamps and aero-efficient roof rails to define its contemporary, upscale attitude. An optional two-piece hard bed cover is available to complete the total package. The clever lid is lightweight yet can support 136 kg (300 lbs) according to Ford engineer, Michael Ford (no relation to Bill Jr.), Supervisor of Exterior Ornamentation. During our drive, Michael described the exhaustive steps taken to wind tunnel test exterior attachments such as the bed cover, roof rails and step bars. Apparently each “vector” had to be analyzed… and so on. Looks like the hard work paid-off Michael, the Sport Trac is conspicuously quiet on the highway.

Popping open one of the four Sport Trac doors reveals a completely revised interior in which the materials in use are of much higher quality than previous. Not only are components and switchgear more pleasing from a tactile point of view, and more functional, but they encompass an improved layout and far better assembly accuracy. The new architecture moves the shifter from the steering column to a very attractive, flow through centre console integrated into an uncluttered centre stack housing audio, HVAC, and an optional navigation system. The tidy design is almost entirely button-operated, which can be counter-intuitive and prone to driver-distraction when searching for a specific function control.

Otherwise the Sport Trac cabin is a handsomely fabricated, well-constructed office in which to perform driving duties or simply enjoy the surroundings as a passenger. If I could wave a magic wand and make one improvement to the spacious environs, it would be in seat design. I found the seat cushions up front a little short for my lengthier than average legs. A longer seat cushion and more side-bolstering would elevate the optional leather-trimmed, heated, 10-way power adjustable perches in my tester from “superior” to “stupendous.” If granted a second wave, the front doors would receive more logically placed door-pulls, but thats it. Ford has taken a giant leap forward in both interior and exterior Sport Trac design; the question is have they followed through with performance to match? In a word, yes.

My resounding affirmation is exclusive to the V8-powered Sport Trac. I havent had the opportunity to test the base V6-powered version but given the marginal difference in fuel economy (neither of which is particularly impressive) I wouldnt recommend going with the less powerful, and more importantly less refined, 4.0-litre, 210 horsepower V6. From the moment the new Sport Trac I tested came to life, I fell for its deliciously smooth V8 hustle. Unless taxed with demanding acceleration or hill climbing, the engine is near silent within normal operating parameters, with only a luxury-car burble to be heard. As the revs climb and the Sport Trac presses forward, the 292 horses announce themselves with an unobtrusive growl. The engines maximum torque rating of 300 foot-pounds ensures strong acceleration up steep grades and near effortless towing performance. When properly equipped, the Sport Trac is tow-rated at 3,091 kg (6,800 lbs). While weighty subjects, the curb weight of the V8-equipped 4X4 Sport Trac is a reasonable 2,178 kg (4,793 lbs).

Part of the Sport Tracs favourable V8 performance is attributable to the ability of its sophisticated 6-speed, over-drive equipped automatic transmission to insert the right gear at the right time, (the V6 is mated to a 5-speed automatic). Shift points were appropriate for all occasions, however, they felt programmed to prioritize fuel economy over performance, which is to be expected this day and age, of course. Unfortunately the Sport Trac is not equipped with a manual-mode feature, although the driver can gear-down through third and second gear to first gear. The Sport Trac is equipped with electronically activated, low-range gearing, mind you, making it a very capable climber. While powering its way up a steep ascent, an associate journalist compared the vehicles tenacious grip to a cat on carpeting. I concurred with the metaphor but felt the feline comparison short-changed the robust Sport Trac. Before this becomes an episode of Wild Kingdom, lets just wrap-up the subject of hill-climbing ability by saying that more than a few eyebrows were raised among the clutch of jaded journalists while putting a bevy of V8-powered Sport Tracs through the rigors of off-roading.

When the low-range gears are not engaged, Fords advanced Control Trac 4WD system keeps the vehicle in motion by automatically transferring torque to the front wheels as needed to maintain maximum traction at all times. Add Fords AdvanceTrac electronic anti-skid program with Roll Stability Control (RSC) to the traction equation and the Sport Trac has all the bases covered for secure, dependable off-road performance; or for that matter controlled traction on snowy, slippery surfaces.

In the event something does go awry, Ford has wisely stocked each Sport Trac with dual-stage front airbags and front row seat-mounted side airbags as standard equipment. Side head curtain airbags are optional. Hopefully before the need to deploy any inflatable occupant protection measures, the Sport Tracs strong, four-wheel antilock disc brakes will have averted the concern. If not, occupants will be pleased to know that the National Highway Transportation Safety Agency (NHTSA) gave the 2007 Sport Trac its highest rating of five stars for frontal and side impact crash testing.

Sport Trac occupants will also be pleased - and more readily so - by the vehicles smooth, controlled ride. As with the latest Explorer, the Sport Trac is independently suspended at each corner - no longer is there a solid-beam rear axle to jar the backside when things get rough. The independent rear setup admirably soaks-up heaves and holes without lurching violently, this I know thanks to the Quebec contingent. On the road the Sport Trac is well-behaved and very composed, riding more like a smooth SUV than a pickup truck. Adding to the vehicles well-balanced, structurally sound ride is a boxed frame that has 427-percent (an appropriate number for a Ford - Ed.) more torsional stiffness than the previous generation Sport Trac. The solidity of the structure eliminates rattles and squeaks so effectively, it makes rough roads worth searching for.

Regardless of the road chosen, the 2007 Sport Trac is not likely to disappoint; in fact its build quality and operational refinement pleasantly surprised me. Ford is offering the Sport Trac in two distinct trim levels, XLT and Limited. A number of comfort and convenience features and option packages allow purchasers to equip their Sport Trac their way. Our Limited Edition testers were loaded with goodies such as a navigation system and a “killer” audio package, not to mention a power-down rear window, Michaels weather-resistant box cover and a class IV trailer hitch. Ford has done a remarkable job of elevating the Sport Trac to a new stratum of SUV-come-pickup, or SUT, one that improves upon the previous generation in every aspect and is fully deserving of a close inspection by those seeking segment-leading versatility and performance in a recreational 5-occupant vehicle.